Resors, Love Lift Yale to 2-0 Win Over Clarkson

New Haven, CT -
Yale's cousin combination of Helen and Nina Resor scored the only goals of the game as the Bulldogs topped Clarkson 2-0 Saturday afternoon in front of a large Ingalls Rink crowd. Sarah Love made 19 saves to pick up her first shutout of the season and keep Yale (11-12-1, 9-5-1) in the fourth and final playoff home-ice spot in the ECACHL standings. The win was Yale's ninth in conference play, setting a school record.

The first period was a scoreless affair in which the two teams combined for just 12 shots on goal. Clarkson (9-12-6, 4-9-1, 8th) had the best scoring opportunity, when Jill Nolan skated in on a breakaway just over 13 minutes in and tried to cut to Love's right. The Yale netminder was all over the move, however, getting her right leg out to full extension to deny the attempt. Love finished the period with a flourish, thwarting the second Clarkson power play of the game in the waning minutes and making a nifty glove save on a long-distance shot attempt 15 seconds before intermission.

The second period was dominated by defense as well, as no penalties were called and each team got just eight shots on net. Nina Resor made one of those count for Yale, however. Natalie Babony and Lisa Jacque got the play started by working the puck out of the corner behind Clarkson goalie Kira McDonald, with Jacque then skating free to fire a pass to Resor at the point. Her wrist shot found its way through heavy traffic in front of the net to give Yale a 1-0 lead at the 16:15 mark.

"Nina just came back from an injury [she missed eight games prior to returning last week] and she's still trying to get her legs a little bit, but she's always steady," said Yale head coach Hilary Witt. "We love having her in the lineup. We missed her a lot."

Helen Resor, whose sister Jane '01 was one of many alums in attendance, scored at the 3:35 mark of the third to give the Bulldogs some breathing room. Assisted by Deena Caplette and Kristin Savard, Resor rifled one just over McDonald's left shoulder and under the crossbar.

"I thought today was one of her best games," Witt said of Helen Resor. "She played smart hockey and made good plays, and we need her to do that."

The Bulldogs maintained that lead with pressure that kept Clarkson from even getting a shot on net for over 15 minutes near the end of the game. The Golden Knights did get 3:32 worth of time on the power play near the end of the game, including a 5-on-3 for 28 seconds, but could not get one past Love.

"The third period was our smartest period of the season," Witt said. "We were up a goal and we kept our poise. We played smart hockey."

One of the more impressive stats on the day was the turnout, as the combination of a record number of alums returning and children coming out for face painting and autographs made for a very festive atmosphere.

"It's great to have the support," Witt said. "The players get pumped up when they hear the people behind them. We enjoy that. It's special to have people come back. We always want the alums to feel like we need them, and we certainly do."

The win gives Yale a boost heading into a string of four straight road games before the regular season finale against Princeton at Ingalls on Feb. 23. The Bulldogs are one win away from tying the school record for victories (12), set in 1985-86 and tied last year.